By Jessica Ivey, RDN
This time of year backyard gardens, local farmers markets and roadside stands are bursting with fresh summer produce. Savor the flavors of summer by pairing fresh watermelon, tomatoes, peaches, corn and more with lean beef as part of a delicious and nutritious family meal.
Summertime takes me back to visits at my grandparents’ house, where the one-and-a-half-acre garden kept us busy watering, weeding, picking, cleaning and cooking. Today my husband and I love growing our own produce during the summer in several raised beds, with varying degrees of success from year to year. The process of planting, caring for and harvesting the ultra-fresh veggies gives me a deeper appreciation for the hard work farmers put into producing our food.
Regardless of whether you have your own garden, visiting a local farmers market can be a fun and educational activity for the whole family. It’s also so much more than a shopping trip—it’s an opportunity to teach your kids to eat healthy vegetables and fruits, learn about where your food comes from and support your local economy. When I meet the farmer who grew my food, I tend to have a greater respect for it. I waste less and savor more. Don’t be afraid to ask farmers questions about how to select or prepare items or about their farming practices. Just like the rest of us, farmers are passionate about what they do and are usually more than happy to share.
Pairing lean beef with fresh summer vegetables and fruits makes for a light and well-balanced meal with the right mix of protein and fiber-rich carbohydrates to satisfy hunger while not leaving you feeling overly stuffed. If you’re grilling a top sirloin or flank steak, try throwing some veggies on the grill, like sliced yellow squash, zucchini, eggplant or bell peppers. This Italian Marinated Steak with Grilled Ratatouille combines some of my favorite flavors, featuring fresh basil, lemon and garlic, and could be made ahead for company. Making burgers? Shake things up with these Old South Burgers with Peach Compote. Featuring lean beef patties topped with a mixture of peaches and beer and served up on biscuits, these burgers are anything but ordinary. My ultimate summertime favorite is fresh watermelon, but have you ever tried grilling watermelon? Grilled Steak and Watermelon Salad sounds like a real winner in my book. Lastly, this Sonoma Ranch Steak Salad with a hearty spinach and butter bean puree is a delicious new way to enjoy those creamy fresh beans.
On BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com you’ll find plenty of recipes featuring your summertime favorites. I can’t wait to try this Pesto Steak & Arugula Pizza with pesto made from my fresh basil out back. I’ll be serving it up on the @alcattlemen Instagram story on Thursday, July 12. Join me for step-by-step instructions on this fun and flavorful meal!
This article is funded by Alabama Beef Checkoff Program. Paid for by Alabama beef farmers and ranchers.